The Man Who Saved Me from My Family’s Lies

I had been lying on the ground for too long, and with my numb legs, I forced myself to get up.

There wasn't much of my stuff left in this house. Once I finished packing, I would leave.

Before I left, they still couldn’t resist reminding me.

“I don’t know where you think you’re going. Who would want you now? You really think that useless mother of yours would take you in? She can barely survive herself.”

“Anywhere is better than here.”

I had almost forgotten I even had a mother, but she was doing just fine.

During my senior year of high school, he made my mom take care of me while he went off with another woman, never sending a single cent.

Later, they got divorced. He abandoned both my mom and me, and in turn, my mom abandoned me.

“It's because you're a girl that your father left us.” That was the last thing she ever said to me, and after that, she never looked back.

Yeah, not even my own parents wanted me. Where could I go? Who could I turn to?

All the money I had was long gone, and the cold night air made me shiver.

It was supposed to be Christmas, a time for family reunions, but I had no place to go.

I reached into my pocket and found a set of keys.

It was from Sophia. She had slipped them to me secretly.

Sophia was Uncle Oven’s daughter, Ethan’s sister. Like me, she had been treated poorly because she was a girl, but unlike me, she didn’t do well in school and had to start working early.

I understood why she didn’t speak up for me—she would’ve been just another victim of their wrath. Like me, she suffered the same prejudice in this family.

I found her rented apartment. At least there, I could have one peaceful night.

Leaving that family behind, I slept soundly, only waking up when they came storming in early in the morning.

Their voices were so loud that the entire building must’ve heard their anger.

“Alicia Watson! You think you can run off to Sophia’s and we wouldn’t know? The place she rents is mine, she’s my daughter, and you better get the hell out of here!”

Looking at Sophia’s expression, I knew she wasn’t involved.

“She’s not your property, and she doesn’t belong to you. She’s an adult now and can make her own decisions. You have no right to tell her what to do.”

Their faces twisted with rage, as though if Sophia even dared to say no, they would tear her apart.

She reluctantly agreed, but I stood firm. I wouldn’t back down.

Just then, I got a message from my mom saying she was coming to pick me up.

No matter her motives, I knew that I needed to leave this place right now.

I sent her my location.

These people, seeing me in such a miserable state, were obviously satisfied with themselves, their ugly faces grinning as they mocked me.

My mom arrived, and she wasn’t alone. Her wealthy husband was with her.

She stepped out of a luxury car, her expensive handbag in tow, wearing sunglasses and heels, looking as regal as ever.

They stood there stunned for a while before recognizing her.

“Sweetheart, come home with Mommy.”

Although the affection was fake, it had the desired effect—they absolutely hated the sight of me and my mom.

They watched as my mom lived well and now came to take me away. Naturally, they were livid.

They couldn’t even fake a smile anymore. I could already guess what they would say next.

“Don’t let her fool you. She can’t give you a son. She’s useless.”

It was absurd. The gender of a child isn’t something a woman controls—what an outdated mindset.

The man’s words, however, were what really broke them.

“I love having a daughter. Daughters are great. You’re a woman too, aren’t you?”

I happily followed them.

“We’re leaving. Don’t pay any attention to these people. They’re crazy.”

The happier I seemed, the angrier they became. I wanted them to know just how happy I could be without them.

I got into the car with them, leaving Uncle Oven and the rest of them with only the howling wind and their fury behind.